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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – O2 Academy Bournemouth
The O2 Academy Bournemouth is actually in the suburb of Boscombe. This Grade II listed Victorian venue has been entertaining people since 1895. A bit like a cat, it seems to have had nine lives, having served as a theatre, circus, music hall, disco and now mainly as a live music venue. How to get…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Dolphin Centre/Kingland
Situated in the centre of Poole, Dolphin Shopping Centre is Poole’s premier shopping destination with over 80 stores, a range of dining options, plenty of entertainment, plus a host of other facilities. The Dolphin Centre first opened in 1969. When I first started coming to Poole many years ago, I used to think the Dolphin…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Bournemouth Gardens
Bournemouth’s beautiful Grade II listed, Green Flag awarded Gardens run north from the beach near Pier Approach, along the River Bourne for around two miles. They consist of three separate, linear gardens; the Lower, Central and Upper Gardens. The further up you go, the quieter and more informal the gardens become. A stroll around any…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – The Saltwater Sauna
The Saltwater Sauna is a collection of Finnish saunas in beachside locations in and around Bournemouth. Here, you can relax in the sauna, whilst enjoying the stunning sea views through a panoramic window, then pop outside for a refreshing dip in the sea. And repeat… There are currently three Saltwater Sauna locations: Sandbanks, Avon Beach…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – RNLI Mudeford Lifeboat Funday
The RNLI Mudeford Lifeboat Funday is, as the name suggests, a day of fun activities to raise money for the Mudeford Lifeboat. The highlights of the event are Paddlboard Races and a Duck Race. In addition, there are lifeboat displays, food & drink, items for sale, a funfair, live music and other entertainment. How to…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Red House Museum
Red House Museum is a local history museum located in the building of the town’s former workhouse in Christchurch. It charts the history of Christchurch and its environs, displaying items discovered and produced locally. From Iron Age tools found on nearby Hengistbury Head to Saxon burial sites. It recounts the building’s history as a workhouse…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Sopley Farm
For a fun day out and some lovely fresh produce, Sopley Farm is a great place to visit. The farm offers the opportunity to Pick Your Own produce. It also has a farm shop and bakery. You can then take your goodies home with you, or eat them at a picnic bench overlooking the flower…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Compton Acres
Compton Acres brands itself as the south’s finest privately owned gardens. It consists of a ten acre series of separate, themed, interlinked gardens joined by landscaped trails. The gardens were designed in the 1920s by Thomas William Simpson, whose vision was to create a necklace of gardens, each one being a beautiful bead in this…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Hengistbury Head
Five miles west of Bournemouth, the bay ends at Hengistbury Head. This stunning headland, culminating at Mudeford Sandbank, has the English Channel to the south and Christchurch Harbour to the north. The area is a designated nature reserve and also a Stone and Iron Age archaeological site. It is a beautiful place to spend some…
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101 Things to do in Bournemouth – Bourne Free
Bourne Free is Bournemouth’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride celebration. I lived in Bournemouth for several years before actually going to Bourne Free, mainly because I used to live in London, where the Pride Parade is so massive that I felt that anything else could only be an anti climax. The festival consists of three separate events…
Jane's Midlife Journey 